Islamic Dynasties

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Umayyad

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(661-750) – controlled empire reaching from Spain to Central Asia. Art from this period is adapted from/influenced by Classical, Byzantine, and Sasanian forms and motifs. Defeated by Abbasids with only one survivor who founded another branch of the Umayyads in Cordoba, Spain between (756 and 1031).

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Abbasid

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(749 – 1258) – ruled several capital cities in Iraq. Baghdad was principle capital and was center of enormous empire stretching at its peak between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Little Abbasid art has survived from early period but is reflected in the products of the capital and court.

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Aghlabid

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(800-909) – ruled North Africa for the Abbasids. The mosque at their capital at Kairouan, Tunisia is one of the best-preserved examples of a hypostyle congregational mosque from the early period and is remarkable for its fine furnishings including minbar, mihrab, and maqsura.

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Fatimid

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(909 – 1171) – Shiite dynasty of caliphs that ruled North Africa for the Abbasids . Their splendid capital at Cairo was a major center for the production of luxury arts, including exquisitely carved rock crystals, glittering luster ceramics and find textiles.

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Ilkhan

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dynasty of Mongol Sultans that ruled greater Iran from (1258 to 1335). They captured Baghdad causing the fall of the Abbasid dynasty in 1258. They established several capitals in northwest Iran as subordinates to the great Mongol khan in China. Art – the illustrated and illuminated book became a major part of artistic expression.

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Mamluk

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sequence of sultans (originally Turkish or Circassian slaves) that ruled Egypt, Syria, and Arabia from (1250 to 1517). Cairo, their capital, became one of the largest cities in the medieval world and it became the center of Arab-Islamic culture after the fall of Baghdad to the Mongols. Endowed the city with many fine buildings, particularly large complexes combining charitable institutions with their tombs and burnished them with fine fittings and magnificent manuscripts of the Koran.

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Mughal

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dynasty of emporers that ruled the Indian subcontinent from (1526 to 1857). Claimed descent from the Mongols. Richest and most famous of the great Islamic empires in the later period. Famed for immense palaces and tombs built of red sandstone and white marble and set in lush gardens. Commissioned illustrated manuscripts, textiles, and precious and bejeweled objects.

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Nasrid

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(1230-1492)– the last Muslim Dynasty in Spain. Ruled realm from the Alhambra palace to Granada. Luster ceramics and textiles were esteemed in all the courts of Europe

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Ottoman

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Turkish dynasty of sultans that ruled Anatolia and much of the Mediterranean and Near east from (1281 to 1924). Longest lasting of Islamic empires of later period. Presided over an international court at their capital Istanbul. Religious architecture is characterized by stone mosques with cascading lead-covered domes framed by pencil-shaped minarets. Court workshops produced manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, many of which were brightly decorated with flowers and leaves.

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Safavid

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dynasty of shahs that ruled Iran from (1501 to 1732) and made Shiism the state religion. Capital was as Isfahan which became vast center of commercial network based on production and export of fibers and textiles. Commissioned some of the finest illustrated manuscripts ever produced.

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Saljuq

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dynasty of Turks from central Asia who ruled Iran from (1038 to 1194). Another branch of the Saljuqs ruled Anatolia from (1077 to 1307). Major power in the middle period, set the style for much of Islamic art and architecture in the eastern Islamic lands. Four-Iwan plan.

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Timurid

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Mongol dynasty descended from conqueror Timiurid. Ruled Iran and Central Asia from (1370 to 1501). Buildings enveloped in brilliantly colored glazed tiles. Books represent the classical movement in Persian painting.

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Tulunid

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Ahmad ibn Tulun established himself as an independent governor of Egypt. He subsequently achieved nominal autonomy from the central Abbasids. first independent dynasty in Islamic Egypt (868–905 AD). The capital was moved from Fustat to al-Qatta'i, where the celebrated mosque of ibn Tulun was constructed. Tulunid domains were expanded to include Palestine and Syria, as well as small holdings in Asia Minor (starting with just Egypt).

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Norman

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Sicily (12th century)

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Sharifan

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North African

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Almohad/Almoravid

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North African